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VIRAL EXCLUSIVE
Oct. 11, 2024
Rust World Premiere at Camerimage Honors
World premiere takes place almost three years after the death on set of its cinematographer.
The indie
Western film Rust is set to make its world premiere at the Camerimage
International Film Festival in Poland, nearly three years after the tragic
on-set death of its cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. The festival, which
celebrates achievements in cinematography, will take place from November 16 to
23, 2024.
Hutchins, who
was 42 at the time of her death, was fatally shot on October 21, 2021, when a
prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged during a rehearsal on the set in
New Mexico. The incident also injured the film’s director, Joel Souza.
Following the tragedy, the production faced intense media scrutiny, legal
battles, and public outcry. Despite these challenges, the filmmakers decided to
complete the project, with Bianca Cline stepping in as the new cinematographer
to honour Hutchins’ vision.
Camerimage’s
decision to premiere Rust is both a tribute to Hutchins’ legacy and a
platform for discussing critical issues in the film industry. The festival will
host a panel discussion featuring Souza, Cline, and Stephen Lighthill,
Hutchins’ mentor from the American Film Institute. The panel will delve into
the events surrounding the film’s production, the continuation of Hutchins’
artistic vision, and broader topics such as the role of women in cinematography
and on-set safety.
Festival
director Marek Zydowicz emphasized Hutchins’ connection to Camerimage, noting
that she had expressed a desire for “Rust” to be showcased at the festival
during its early production stages1. The premiere aims to honour her memory and
highlight her contributions to the art of filmmaking.
While Alec
Baldwin, the film’s star and producer, will not attend the premiere, the event
is expected to draw significant attention from the film community and the
public. The screening of Rust at Camerimage serves as a poignant
reminder of Hutchins’ impact on the industry and the ongoing conversation about
safety and representation in filmmaking.
